System for controlling moving vehicles.



P. J. SIMMEN. SYSTEM FOR CONTROLLING MOVING VEHICLES.

APPLlCATION FILED SEPT-24,1913.

Patented Jill 25, 1916..

yaw/6 4mm Inventor:

%M Attic,

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE. 1

PAUL J. SIMMEN, or INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA.

\ 1 SYSTEM FOR CONTROLLING MOVING VEHICLES.

To all whom it may concern:

Be 'it known that 1, PAUL J. SIMMEN, citizen of the United States, residing at Indianapolis, in the county of. Marion and State of Indiana, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inSystems for Controlling Moving Vehicles, of which the following is a specification.

'ferred to as applied to This invention relates to a system and apparatus for the automatic control of the speed -of moving vehicles along a right of way and more particularly to the simultaneous control of such speed determined by two factors, namely: first-the nature and extent of the permanent hazards along the way, due for instance to sharp curves, steep grades, crowded streets, dangerous crossings or the like, and, second-the existence of temporary hazards due to the presence of other vehicles on the same right of way or the conscious creation of danger signals by a controlling operator, for instance a train despatcher governing a series of moving vehicles from a central station.

In describing the invention it will be rea train or car on a railway track, but it 'will be understood that the system may be applied to vehicles in other relationswvithout departing from the principles of the invention.-

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a diagram illustrating the equipment of a railway trackwa y appropriate to use with the invention; Fig. 2 is an elevation partly in perspeetive and partly in diagram showing the application of a preferred form of apparatus to a vehicle; Fig. 3 is an eleration on a larger scale of a portion of the mechanism shown in Fig. 2, the position ofisome of the parts being changed; Flgs. 4 and 5 are views of the dial and pointer, the latter in two positions, and Figs. 6 and are details showing two positions of the pointers.

In the drawings there is illustrated a single track of railway having two rails 15 along which vehicles 16 and 17 travel and which railway is divided into sections 18 19 and 20 insulated from each other. At suitable points along the way are signal rails in pairs one of each pair being a distant rall 21 and the other being a home rail 22. Each vehicle includes as a part of its equipment wheels 23 running upon the tracks 15 and disposed in pairs connected by suitable axles 24. Each vehicle also carries a contact shoe Specification of Letters llatent.

inafter explained.

v Patented July 25, 1916. Application filed September 24, 1913. Serial No. 791,452.

Mounted in suitable bearings 26 at any convenient place on the vehicle is a shaft 27 provided witha worm 28 at a suitable point, and to which shaft motion is imparted from the-movement of the vehicle wheels 23 by any suitable transmitting mechanism, such as is hereinafter described, and including a friction wheel 29. Secured to this shaft 27 IS an actual speed indicator. This speed indicator includes a centrifugal governor 30 having linked connections with a collar .31 slidable on the shaft 27. It is obvious that the longitudinal movement of this collar 31 on the shaft is directly proportional to the speed of the vehicle as communicated through'the wheels 29 to the shaft 27. Mounted at a place convenient to the actual speed .indicator is a device termed a permissive speedindicator. This includes a support 32 carrying a shaft 33 on which is mounted to rotate a gear wheel 34 adapted to mesh with the worm 28 on the shaft 27. The teeth of the gear wheel 34 are inter rupted at 35 for a purpose which will subsequently be described, and the support-32 is suspended from the armature 36 of an electro-magnet 37. The wheel 34 is provided with a cam groove 38 in which there isloosely fitted a roller pin 39 secured to a reciprocatory bar 40, which bar is slidably.

mounted on the vehiclein any suitable manner. For example, in the form illustrated the bar is provided with longitudinal slots 41 in which revolve supporting pins 42. A

spring 43 secured to a fixed portion of the vehicle and to the gear wheel 34 serves to retract the wheel to, normal position after actuation.

The usual air brake train pipe 46 passes through a box 47 located at a convenient place on the vehicle and which box contains a valve 48 adapted to open and close the an air brake system containing a valve of this character is well understood by those skilled in the art and it is believed needs no further explanation.

A source of electrical energy, for example a battery 51, is located at any desired or convenient place on the vehicle and a conductor 52 leads therefrom to a contactmember 53 of a relay 54, the contact member. being under the constant attention of a spring 55. The member 53 is arranged to contact with the terminal 56 of a conductor 57' leading to the electro-magnet 37 and thence through a binding post 58 back to the battery 51..

From the conductor 57 there is led another conductor 59 to two terminals 60 which are normally in circuit with a shoe contact 61 and this conductor 59 is led to a relay coil 54 and thence to thepost 58. To the conductor 59 at 62 is electrically connected a conductor 63 leading to and through a safety signal preferably in the form of a green light 64 and thence to the post 58. The member 53 is also adapted to contact with another terminal 65 disposed opposite to the terminal 56 and said terminal 65 forms ployed: The bar ,of the permissive speed indicator is provided with a rack 68 which is in mesh with a pinion 69 carried by a shaft 70, journaled in suitable bearings indicated at 71. Rigidly secured to this shaft near its opposite end is a hand or pointer 72. Loosely mounted on the shaft 70 but insulated therefrom by a bushing 73 of suitable material is a conductor comprising a radial arm 74 having a laterally projecting rod 75. A spring 76 secured to the arm 74 on the vehicle and mounted in suitable bearand to the pointer 72 tends to keep the rod 75 in contact with such pointer. The inner or free end of the rod 75 is made of insulating material as indicated at 77. A conductor 78 leading from the binding post 58 includes the solenoid 49 of the air 'brake train pipe controlling valve 48 and is connected to the pointer 72. Another conductor 79 is electrically connected to the rod 75 and to the conductor 52 so that when the pointer 72 is in contact with the rod 75 a closed circuit from the battery 51 will be established which will include the solenoid 49, and the valve 48 will thereby be held in a closed position. The binding post 58 is also provided with a ground connection indicated at 80.

As part of the indicating mechanism for the actual speed indicator there is provided a hand or pointer 81 carried by a sleeve 82 loosely journaled on the shaft and which sleeve is provided with a pinion 83 in mesh with annular teeth 84 formed upon the sleeve 31 of the actual speed indicator. In practical use the two pointers 72 and 81 are 'in circuit with thetwo signal rails 21 and v 22, and, through the ground indicated at 93, with a battery 94'which is electrically connected to the contact piece 89' so that when the contact piece 89 is held by the solenoid or relay 88 .in its closed position, as shown at the right in Fig. 1, a closed circuit will be produced through the signal rails and including the battery 94.

Mounted at any convenient place on the vehicle by means of brackets 100 or in any other suitable manner are two rollers. 101 and 102, adapted to be rotated by means of a shaft 103'and carrying between them, moved by such rotation, a flexible band or belt 104, one edge of which is provided with indentations indicated at 105. The band maybe endless or may be adapted to be wound up on one roller and unwound from the other as the case may be. At the lower end of the shaft 103 is a beveled gear 106 adapted to mesh with either one of two gears 107 or 108 secured to a sleeve 109, slidably mounted upon and turning with the shaft 27. A shifter 110 of any convenient form and provided with a handle 111 enables the operator'to move the gears 107 or 108 to cause the shaft 103 to be turned in one direction or the other. Also mounted on the shaft 27 is a spur gear 115 and a 105 sprocket wheel 116. At a convenient place is a clutch 122 including a pinion 123 adapted to mesh with the gear 115, an annular groove 124 adapted to be engaged by a shifting fork indicated at 125, and indenta- 12 tions 126 adapted to engage 's'imilar indenta-- tions 127 on .the, side of the-sprocket wheel The shaft 33 is extended rearwardly from the support 32 and is provided with a radial arm 130 adapted to contact with the indentations along the edge of the band 104 to'be swung by such contact, thereby turning the shaft 33 and partially rotating the mutilated gear "34 to a greater or less degree depending upon the depth of the indentations on theband 104.

The depth of the indentations 105 on the edge of the band 104c0rresponds with the speed permissible to the vehicle at various points along the roadway, the higher points indicating the lower rate of speed depending upon the nature of the hazards encountered not and to that end there is provided the sprocket chain 120 and wheels 116 and 119 and gears 115 and 123 with their connections. Normally when the vehicle is moving forward the parts are in the position shown in Fig. 2 in which the clutch 122 is engag ing the v hicle moves backward the clutch is shifted to bring the pinion 123 in mesh with the gear 115 as shown in Fig. 3, and the shaft 27 continues to move in the same direction as before.

The operation of the device is as follows: The parts shown in Fig. 2 represents the condition which exists on the vehicle 17 in track section 19 of Fig. 1 when such vehicle moving in the direction indicated by the arrow has passed over the energized signal rails 21 and 22 at the beginning of section 19 and has deenergized them because the current from the battery'87 at the end of the section 19 has been, short circuited through ground at 80, thus energizing the relay 54,

the wheels 23 and axle 24 of the vehicle 17 and the circuit of the battery 94 has been broken by the opening of the contact piece 89.

When the vehicle 17 passed over the energized signal rails 21 and 22 at the entrance of the track section 19 the current from these rails passed through the conductor 59, the relay 54 and the binding post 58 to the attracting the contact 53 and closing the circuit through the terminal 56, the conductors 59 and 63, the green light or safety signal 64, the post 58, the conductor 57, the battery51, the .conductor 52 and, contact 53 causing the green light to glow. At the same time, another circuit has been formed through the terminal 56, the conductor 57,

the magnet 37, battery 51, conductor 52 and contact 53, energizing the magnet 37 and thus lifting the gear wheel 34 out of mesh with the worm 28 on the shaft 27.

Assoon as the vehicle 17 passes the signal sprocket wheel 119. When the ve-' rails 21 and 22, the contact member 61 will drop by gravity because of the drop of the contact shoe 25 and thus completes the circuit through the conductor 59 and terminals 60, so that the circuits which were originally created by the passing of the vehicle over the energized signal rails, and the elements which were initially energized from the battery 94, are maintained in such energized condition by the local battery 51 after con-.

tact with the rails 21 and 22 has ceased. So

long, therefore, as these circuits are maintained the rod will be in contact with the pointer 72 and a circuitwill be completed including this rod and pointer, the conductors 78 and 79, the battery 51 and the solenoid 49 in the box 47, keeping'the release valve of the air brake system closed. Consequently no matter what the speed of the vehicle may be within the usual limits (unless it exceeds that permitted by the way hazard indicator as hereinafter described) the pointer 72 and rod 75 will remain in contact with each other, and the operator of the vehicle has a clear signal in the green light and may maintain any usual or predetermined speed .below the permitted one.

As already stated the signal rails 21 and i 22 at the beginning of the track section 19 are deenergized by the presence of the vehicle 17 in such section. The movement of the vehicle 16 toward the section 19 will cause the shoe 25 of this vehicle to come in contact with the deenergized signal rail 21.

Such contact lifts the shoe contact 61 fromthe terminal 60 of the conductor 59 and allows the contact 53 to fly back from contact with the terminal 56 to contact with the terminal 65 under the influence of the spring 55. This establishes a circuit through the conductor 66, the red light or danger signal 67, the post 58, the conductor 57, the battery 51, the conductor 52 and contact 53, and the red light at once glows, the green light being simultaneously extinguished inasmuch as the circuit through it is broken. At the same time and for the same reason the cur rent ceases to flow through the conductor 57, and the electro-magnet 37 is thus deenergized so that the supporting frame of the wheel 34 drops, its teeth at once becoming engaged with the worm 28 on the shaft 27, the permissive speed indicator is actuated and its bar 40 will begin to move toward the left as the pin 39 is caused to travel in that direction by the eccentricity of the cam groove 38 in the wheel 34. This movement will, of course, cause therack 68 to movein a corresponding direction, and as a result the pointer 72 and the arm 74 will turn'toward the left, but their electrical contact will be retained so that the circuit through the sole-.

noid 49.0f the air brake release, valve will remain closed. The relative positions of the pointer 72 and arm 74 will remain if the operator heeds the warning signal and begins to reduce the speed of his vehicle so that the actual speed is below the permissive speed. I I

' Assuming, however, that the operator does not see or does not heed the warning signal, and consequently does not reduce the speed of his vehicle it will be evident that the pointer 81 will remain in a relatively fixed position, and therefore the insulated end 77 of the rod 7 5 will soon contact with this pointer 81 and be stopped thereby. The pointer '72, however, continues its movement and as soon as it separates from the rod 75 a circuit which includes the solenoid 79 will be broken, the solenoid will be. deenergized, the air brake release valve 46 will be opened and the brakes will be applied. If, however, as soon as the operator sees the red light glow he begins to reduce the speed of the vehicle the pointer 81 of the actual speed indicator will begin to turn toward the left and so long as the actual speed of the vehicle is less than the permissive speed, as indicated by the pointer 72,

. nothing occurs to automatically control the speed of the vehicle, but the position and shape of the cam groove 38 in the wheel 34 is such that when the rod 40 is farthest toward the left as it'is when the wheel 34 has completed one-half of its revolution and the mutilated portion of the gear has reached the worm 28 the permissive speed is a safe one, say ten miles an hour so that if the operator so controls the vehicle that the actual speed does not exceed the permissive speed the contact between the pointer 72 and the rod 75 will not be broken and brakes will not be set and the vehicle can continue at that rate under complete control.

The presence of the endless band 104 forming a way hazard indicator in connection with its actuating mechanism introduces a new factor into the movement of the pointer 72. It is obvious that the wheel 34 will be moved with its shaft 33 and con sequently the rod 40 be moved whenever the arm 130 moving along the indented edge of the band 104, is turned, consequently a limitation is placed upon the rate of permissive speed indicated by the permissive speed indicator above described, and comprising the grooved cam wheel 34, and rod 40, by the presence of this indented band it being obvious that the return of the wheel 34 to normal conditions in this case does not mean.

a return to unlimited permissive speed, but a return to such permissive speed as is indicated by the extent of its'rotation due to the contact of the arm 130 with, the indented edge of the band 104. It will be un-- derstood that the indentations along the edge of this band in depth and length correspond to the permissible speed due to permanent conditions along the highway and that no matter what speed may be permitted due to the actuation of the, danger signal on the vehicle, yet such speed is limited and controlled by the speed permitted according to the relative positions of the arm 130 and the indentations on the band 104.

What I claim is:

1. The combination with a vehicle, of an actual speed indicator, a permissive speed indicator, means outside the vehicle for bringing the permissive speed indicator into operation, and a hazard member carried by the vehicle .and adapted to symbolize the relatively different permissive speeds for the vehicle corresponding to the hazards along the way traveled by the vehicle.

2. The combination with a vehicle, of an actual speed indicator, a permissive speed indicator normally inactive, means outside of the vehicle for rendering the permissive speed indicator operative, and a device nor 'mally active and adapted to symbolize relatively different speeds allowable to the vehicle corresponding to the hazards encountered by it along its way.

3. The combination with a vehicle, of an actual speed indicator, a permissive speed;

indicator normally inactive, means for rendering the permissive speed indicator ac-- tlve, and means for altering the maximum speed indicated by it corresponding to the nature and extent of the hazards encountered by the vehicle along its way.

4. The combination with a vehicle, of means adapted to indicate its permissive speed corresponding to a temporary hazard along the way, and a second means adapted I to symbolize relatively different permiss1ve speed corresponding to a temporary hazard along the way, means outside the vehicle for bringing said permlsslve speed indicator into activity, and a second! independent "means carried by the vehicle adapted continually to symbolize relatively different permissive speeds corresponding to the nature and extent of the varying permanent hazards along the way.

7. The combination with a vehicle, of means adapted to indicate its permissive speed corresponding to a temporary hazard along the way, means for bringing the said means into activity, and a second means carried by the vehicle adapted continually to symbolize various permissive speeds COI'I'G". sponding respectively to the nature and extent oi": the varying permanent hazards along the way, and means whereby the lesser of the permissive speeds is indicated.

8. The combination with a vehicle, of an actual speed indicator, a permissive speed indicator normally inactive, means outside the vehicle for rendering said permissive speed indicator'active, and means normally active and adapted to symbolize various speeds allowable to the vehicle corresponding respectively to the hazards encountered by it along its way, and means adapted to operate the two indicators andthe last named means in the same direction irrespective of the direction of. movement of the vehicle.

9. The combination with a vehicle, of means adapted to indicate its permissive speed corresponding to a temporary hazard along the way, and a second means adapted to symbolize various permissive speeds corresponding to permanent hazards along the way, and means adapted to operate the two means in harmony irrespective of the direction of movement of the vehicle.

10. The combination with a vehicle, of means adapted to indicate its permissive speed corresponding to a temporary hazard along the way, and a second means adapted to symbolize different permissive speeds corresponding respectively to permanent hazards along the way, means for registering the'lesser of the speeds indicated by said two means, and means adapted to operate the two means in harmony irrespective of the direction of movement of the vehicle.

11. The combination with a vehicle, of an actual speed indicator, a permissive speed indicator normally inactive, means outside the vehicle for rendering the permissive speed indicator operative, a, second means normally active and adapted to symbolize various speeds allowable to the vehicle corresponding to the respective hazards encountered by it along its way, and means adapted to reverse the direction of operation of the last mentioned means.

12. The combination with a vehicle, of a device by which its speed is retarded, an ac.- tual speed indicator, a second indicator adapted to denote the speed permissive to the vehicle corresponding to a temporary hazard along the way, a device symbolic of the various speeds permissiveto the vehicle corresponding to the permanent hazards along the way, and means adapted automatically to operate the retarding device whenever the actual speed exceeds the low-- est of the speeds denoted by the permissive speed indicator and the symbolic device.

13. The combination with a vehicle, of a causing device by which its speed is retarded, an actual speed indicator, a second indicator adapted to denote the speed permissive to the vehicle corresponding to a temporary hazard along the way, a device symbolic of the different speeds permissive to the vehicle corresponding respectively to the permanent hazards along the way, and means adapted automatically to operate the retarding device whenever the actual speed exceeds the lowest ofthe speeds denoted by the permisspeed indicator movable member, one normally active and movable'to an extent corresponding to the permanent hazards along the way and the other normally inactive, and 'means exterior of the vehicle for effecting the operation of the normally inactive means. 1

15. The combination with a vehicle, of abrake, means including an electric circuit adapted to operate the brake, an actual speed indicator including a movable member, a permissive speed indicator also including a movable member, said two members contacting to control the said circuit, and two means, both automatic for moving one of the members, said member when moved by either means causing the control of the circuit whenever the actual speed of the vehicle exceeds the permissive speed indicated.

16. The combination with a vehicle, of a brake, means including an electric circuit adapted to operate the brake, an actual speed indicator including a movable member, a permissive speed indicator also including a movable member, tuting means for controlling the circuit, and two means both automatic, for effecting a relative movement of the members, and for v the control of the circuit whenever the actual speed of the vehicle exceeds the permissive speed indicated, one means corresponding to a temporary hazardto the vehicle and the other to a permanent hazard.

said two members constimeans including an electric circuit 18.,The combination witha vehicle, of a brake, means including an electric circuit adapted to operate the brake, an actual speed indicator. including a movable member, a permisslve speed indicator, also mcluding a movable member, said two members constivmovable member, said two members constituting means for controlling the circuit, said permissive speed indicator including a cam wheel adapted to be moved from the running gear of the vehicle at a predetermined speed, and a second member including a graduated band adapted to govern thereby the extent of the movement of the cam wheel. 1

20. In a device of the character described, the combination with the running gear of a vehicle, of a shaft, means whereby it will rotate in the same direction irrespective of the direction of movement of the vehicle, an actual speed indicator moved from, the shaft, a permissive speed indicator moved from the same shaft at a predetermined speed, and means for limiting the extent ofsuch movement, p

21. In a device of the character described,

the combination with the running gear of; a vehicle, of a shaft, means whereby it will rotate in the same direction irrespective'of the direction of movement of the vehicle, an actual speed indicator moved from the shaft, a permissive speed indicator moved from the shaft, and means for varying the extent of such movement automatically corresponding to the nature and extent of the permanent hazards encountered by the vehicle along the way.

22. In a device of the character described, the combination with the running gear of a vehicle, of a shaft, means whereby it will rotate in the same direction irrespective of the direction of movement 'of the vehicle, an actual speed indicator moved from the shaft, a permissive speed indicator moved from the same shaft, and means for varying the extent of such movement, comprising an indented band, .an arm traveling over the same along the path of such indentations and a connection between such arm and a cator.

23. In a device of the character described, the combination with the running gear of a vehicle, of. a shaft, means whereby .it will rotate in the same direction irrespective of the direction of movement of the vehicle, an actual speed indicator moved from the shaft, a permissive speed indicator moved from the same shaft, and means for varying the extent of such movement, comprising an indented band, an arm traveling over the same and along the path of such indentations and a connection between such arm and a movable part of the permissive speed indicator, the indentations on the band corresponding to the nature and extent of the permanent hazards encountered by the vehicle along the way. 7

24. In a device of the character described, the combination with the running gear .of a vehicle, of a shaft-27, a cam wheel, means for rotating the same from the shaft, -a pointer moved from the cam wheel, an actual speed indicator'moved from the shaft 27 alsoincluding a pointer, a brake,.n1eans for operating the same including an electric circuit whenever the two pointers contact, and means for varying the extent of rotation of the cam wheel, depending upon the nature and extent of the hazards encountered by the vehicle.

25. In a device of the character described,-

the combination with the running gear of a vehicle,-of a shaft, a cam wheel, means for rotating the same from the shaft, a pointer moved from the cam wheel, an actual speed indicator moved from the shaft 27 also including a pointer, a brake, means for operating the same including an electric circuit whenever the two pointers contact, and means for varying the-extent of rotation of the cam wheel, depending upon the nature and extent of the hazards encountered by' the vehicle, the latter means including a traveling indented member.

26. In a device of the character described, the combination with the running gear of a vehicle, of a cam wheel, means for rotat ing the latter therefrom, a pointer moved from the-cam wheel, an actual speed indicator moved from the running gear also including a pointer, a brake, means for operating the same including an electric circuit whenever the two pointers contact, and means for varying the extent of rotation of the cam wheel depending upon the nature and extent of the hazards encountered by the vehicle, the latter means including a .lt'raveling indented member, a shaft rotating with the cam wheel and an arm secured to the shaft and contacting with the indented member along its indentations.

27. In a device of the character described,

the combination with the running gear of a vehicle, of a cam wheel, means for rotating "the extent of the movement of the cam wheel, depending upon the nature and extent of the hazards encountered by the vehicle.

28. In a device of the character described, the combination with the running gear of a vehicle, of a shaft 27, a cam wheel, means for rotating the same from the shaft, a'

pointer moved from the cam wheel, an actual speed indicator moved from the shaft 27 also including a pointer, a brake, means for operating the same automatically including an electric circuit whenever the two pointers contact, and means for varying the extent of rotation of the cam Wheel depending upon the nature and extent of the hazards encountered by the vehicle, the latter means including a traveling indented member.

29. In a device of the character described, the combination with the running gear of a vehicle, of a shaft 27, a cam wheel, means for rotating the same from the shaft, a pointer moved from the cam wheel, an actual speed indicator moved from the shaft 27 also including a pointer, a brake, means for operating the same automatically including an electric circuit whenever the two pointers contact, and means for varying the extent of rotation of the cam wheel depending upon the nature and extent of the hazards encountered by the" vehicle, the latter means including a traveling indented member, a shaft rotating with the cam wheel and an arm secured to the shaftand contacting with the indented member along its indentations.

30. In a device of the character described, the combination with the running gear of a vehicle, of a shaft 27, a cam wheel, means for rotating the same from the shaft, a pointer moved from the cam wheel, an actual speed indicator moved from the shaft 27 also including a pointer, la brake, means for operating the same including an electric circuit whenever the'two pointers contact,

and means for varying the extent of rotation of the cam wheel, depending uponvthe nature and extent of the hazards encountered by the vehicle, the latter means including a traveling indented member, and means for reversing its directions of movement.

31. In a device of the character described, the combination with the running gear of a vehicle, of a shaft 27, a cam wheel, means for rotating the same from the shaft, a pointer moved from the cam wheel, an actual speed indicator moved from the shaft 27 also including a pointer, a brake, means for operating the same including an electric circuit whenever "the two pointers contact, and means for varying the extent of rota.- tion of the cam wheel, depending upon the fnature and extent of the hazards encountered by the vehicle, the latter means includ ing a traveling indented member, and means for reversing its direction of movement, a

shaft rotating with the cam wheel and an vehicle including a shaft, of a cam wheel,

means for rotating the same from the shaft, a polnter moved from the cam wheel, an actual speed indicator moved from the run-, .nmg gear also lncludlng a polnter, a brake,-

means for operating the same automatically whenever the two pointers contact, and means for varying the extent of the movement of the cam wheel, depending upon the nature and extent of the hazards encountered by the vehicle, the latter means including a traveling indented member.

33. In a device of the character described, the combination with the running gear of a vehicle including a shaft, of a cam wheel, means for rotating the same from the shaft, a pointer moved from the cam wheel, an actual speedindicator moved from the running gear also including a pointer, a brake, means for operating the same automatically whenever the two pointers contact, and means for varying the extent of the movement of the cam wheel, depending upon the nature and extent of thehazards encountered by the vehicle, the latter means including a traveling indented member, and means for reversing its direction of movement.

34. The combination with a vehicle, of traffic-controlling means, a movable speed determining device, means forautomatically controlling the movement of the device, to different positions to indicate the different permissive speeds according to the hazards along the way, other means for controlling the movement of such device to a predetermined permissive speed position, and means for automatically controlling the operation of the traffic controlling means whenever the actual'speed of the vehicle exceeds the speed indicated by the position of the device.

35. The combination with a vehicle, of traiiic controlling means, automatic means for actuating the traffic controlling means whenever the. actual speed of the vehicle exceeds a determined permissive speed thereof, and mechanism for determining and varying said permissive speed, saidmechanism including two means, one corresponding to the permanent hazards along the route, and the other being normallyoinactive and including devices for throwing it into action When a temporary hazard arlses.

36. The combination with a vehicle, of

traflic controlling means, automatic means for actuating the traflic controlling means Whenever the actual speed of the vehicle exceeds a determined permissive speed thereof, and mechanism for determining and varying such permissive speed, said mechanism including two devices, operatingmeans for both devices carried by the vehicle, one device being normally in operation, the other normallyinoperative, and means for automatically throwing the latter'into operation when a hazard exists, iii addition to the permanent hazards along the route.

37. The combination with a vehicle and 'traflic controllin means, of means for operating the tra 'c controlling means Whenever the actual speed of the vehicle exceeds adetermined permissive speed, and means for automatic ly determining and varying said permissive speed, according to the permanent hazards along the route, and according to temporary hazards that may arise.

38. The combination with a vehicle and traffic controlling means, of means for op-' erating the traflic controlling means Whenever the actual speed of the vehicle exceeds a determined permissive speed, means on the vehicle for automatically determining and varying the permissive speed of the vehicle according to the permanent hazards along the route, automatic-means outside the vehicle cooperating with said determining and varying means to automaticallydetermine the permissive speed when temporary hazards exist.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

7 PAUL J. SIMMEN. Witnesses:

R. H. MOORE, CLARENCE GUscATT. 

